Category Archives: Parenting

Help Kids Talk – July Message

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We have a lovely July message of the month: “Less watching, more talking… put everything away and just sing, talk and play”

This month we want to encourage parents and families to minimise screen time and spend time playing and talking with their children.

Please use the link below which will take you to:

  • a video explaining the message of the month
  • a PDF version of the poster to be displayed in setting or shared via email, Seesaw or another platform
  • some ideas on how to put this message into practice.

CLICK ON LINK TO ACCESS VIDEO AND RESOURCES HERE à https://view.pagetiger.com/july1/1

Please share the message of the month information with your staff team and also with your parents/families. We will be sharing more tips and advice linked to the message of the month on our Facebook, Instagram and Twitter pages.

Please also note that free training for parents or anyone working with children between 0 and 6 years old is available and can be booked below. (July dates available, keep an eye on the HKT Facebook page for Aug/Sept dates). ‘Basic Awareness’ around speech, language & communication is the first session and Level 1 is a next steps session looking at speech & language milestones, referring a child to Speech Therapy and tips for supporting children with difficulties in the home or their setting:

https://view.pagetiger.com/basic-awareness-webinar-training-dates/help-kids-talk-training

 

Anxiety Based School Avoidance Podcast

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ParentLine NI’s new podcast on Anxiety Based School Avoidance.
Listen in as Kerry chats to Elaine McCrisken from STRIVE NI and explores reasons why a child or young person may be finding it difficult to attend school. As well as discussing practical strategies for parents/carers to support children to return more willingly to the school environment.
Full episode here: https://tinyurl.com/2hwke8ck

Assistive Technology for Children with Vision Impairment

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We’re excited to share that applications have now re-opened for free iPads for children aged 3-18 with a vision impairment, for use at home.

The devices have excellent accessibility features built-in, and online guides and tutorials will be provided to help them get started and to ensure that they know how to stay safe online. The devices will be completely free of charge, with the only requirement being proof of vision impairment.

We know how important technology is for children with a vision impairment; if you are aware of any children who could benefit please do share the information with families.

Stocks are limited so we would encourage interested applicants to apply as soon as possible. More information, including how to apply, can be found on the following webpage: www.guidedogs.org.uk/techforall

There is also a webpage detailing the eligibility criteria: Eligibility criteria (guidedogs.org.uk)

We are planning some social media posts on the Guide Dogs UK social media channels later this week, so please share these if you would like to. I have put the links to our Facebook and Twitter channels below:

Guide Dogs (@guidedogs) / Twitter

Guide Dogs UK | Facebook

Tech for All is just one of many services Guide Dogs provide for children and young people. We offer buddy dogs, a well behaved canine companion for children with sight loss; our ‘My Time to Play’ Programme for children with sight loss aged 0-4, learning through sensory play in a group setting led by our habilitation specialists; and much more.

We have also recently launched an online customer panel, for all people with sight loss, or parents of children with a vision impairment. It’s completely free to join and participate in. Members will be invited to take part in interesting research activities. It’s a great way for people to get their voice heard and we hope they will find it personally rewarding.  The system is fully accessible so that the experience will be as frustration free as possible. To become a member, people should complete a short 10 minute survey on the following link: https://guidedogsviewpoint.com/uc/main/a0db/

If families would like to find out more about our services, they can visit our website www.guidedogs.org.uk or contact Guide Line on 0800 781 1444.